US5382162A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Autoclavable dental scaler handpiece sheath
Assignee: Parkell Inc
•
Filing: 1993-11-04
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Granted: 1995-01-17
•
Expires: 2013-11-04
Abstract
Abstract An ultrasonic dental scaler device includes a handpiece having a removable outer sheath secured thereto. After performing a scaling procedure on a patient's teeth, the outer sheath is easily removed from the dental scaler handpiece and sterilized. A completely sterile sheath is secured to the dental scaler handpiece for use with each patient thereby preventing cross-contamination among different patients.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael C. Sharp
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 08:24
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61C; A61C17/00; A61C17/16; A61C17/20; A61C1/00; A61C1/08; A61C1/16
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
99 words
An ultrasonic dental scaler handpiece adapted for receiving a dental scaler insert comprising: a removable, protective, elongated outer sheath dimensioned to be selectively positioned around said scaler handpiece, the outer sheath being shaped to facilitate gripping by an operator; and coupling means for removably securing said outer sheath to said scaler handpiece such that when said outer sheath is removed from said scaler handpiece, the outer sheath is sterilizable to prevent cross-contamination among patients, said coupling means being provided on surfaces substantially independent of an exposed outer surface of said outer sheath thereby maintaining a substantially continuous gripping shape.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
99 words
An ultrasonic dental scaler handpiece adapted for receiving a dental scaler insert comprising: a removable, protective, elongated outer sheath dimensioned to be selectively positioned around said scaler handpiece, the outer sheath being shaped to facilitate gripping by an operator; and coupling means for removably securing said outer sheath to said scaler handpiece such that when said outer sheath is removed from said scaler handpiece, the outer sheath is sterilizable to prevent cross-contamination among patients, said coupling means being provided on surfaces substantially independent of an exposed outer surface of said outer sheath thereby maintaining a substantially continuous gripping shape.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
An ultrasonic dental scaler handpiece as defined by claim 1, wherein said outer sheath comprises a heat-resistant plastic.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
An ultrasonic dental scaler handpiece as defined by claim 2, wherein said heat-resistant plastic is an acetal resin.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
An ultrasonic dental scaler handpiece as defined by claim 2, wherein said heat-resistant plastic is polysulphone.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
An ultrasonic dental scaler handpiece as defined by claim 1, wherein said outer sheath comprises a machined, heat-resistant plastic.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
An ultrasonic dental scaler handpiece as defined by claim 1, wherein said outer sheath comprises a molded, heat-resistant plastic.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
An ultrasonic dental scaler handpiece as defined by claim 1, wherein said outer sheath is sterilizable by steam autoclaving.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
An ultrasonic dental scaler handpiece as defined by claim 1, wherein the outer sheath comprises metal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
An ultrasonic dental scaler handpiece as defined by claim 1, wherein said outer sheath comprises a nosepiece having a frustoconical shape and a tubular portion fixedly coupled to a wider end of said nosepiece.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
An ultrasonic dental scaler handpiece as defined by claim 1, wherein the coupling means comprises an internally positioned releasable coupling system.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
92 words
An ultrasonic dental scaler handpiece adapted for receiving a dental scaler insert comprising: a removable, protective, elongated outer sheath dimensioned to be selectively positioned around said scaler handpiece, the outer sheath being shaped to facilitate gripping by an operator; and coupling means for removably securing said outer sheath to said scaler handpiece such that when said outer sheath is removed from said scaler handpiece, the outer sheath is sterilizable to prevent cross-contamination among patients, wherein said coupling means comprises mating threads for threadably securing said outer sheath to said dental scaler handpiece.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
92 words
An ultrasonic dental scaler handpiece adapted for receiving a dental scaler insert comprising: a removable, protective, elongated outer sheath dimensioned to be selectively positioned around said scaler handpiece, the outer sheath being shaped to facilitate gripping by an operator; and coupling means for removably securing said outer sheath to said scaler handpiece such that when said outer sheath is removed from said scaler handpiece, the outer sheath is sterilizable to prevent cross-contamination among patients, wherein said coupling means comprises mating threads for threadably securing said outer sheath to said dental scaler handpiece.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
93 words
An ultrasonic dental scaler handpiece adapted for receiving a dental scaler insert comprising: a removable, protective, elongated outer sheath dimensioned to be selectively positioned around said scaler handpiece, the outer sheath being shaped to facilitate gripping by an operator; and coupling means for removably securing said outer sheath to said scaler handpiece such that when said outer sheath is removed from said scaler handpiece, the outer sheath is sterilizable to prevent cross-contamination among patients, wherein said coupling means includes means for making a water-tight seal between said outer sheath and dental scaler handpiece.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
93 words
An ultrasonic dental scaler handpiece adapted for receiving a dental scaler insert comprising: a removable, protective, elongated outer sheath dimensioned to be selectively positioned around said scaler handpiece, the outer sheath being shaped to facilitate gripping by an operator; and coupling means for removably securing said outer sheath to said scaler handpiece such that when said outer sheath is removed from said scaler handpiece, the outer sheath is sterilizable to prevent cross-contamination among patients, wherein said coupling means includes means for making a water-tight seal between said outer sheath and dental scaler handpiece.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
127 words
An ultrasonic dental scaler comprising: a handpiece adapted for receiving a magnetostrictive dental scaler insert; an energizing coil mounted within said handpiece such that said energizing coil surrounds a portion of a magnetostrictive dental scaler insert positioned within said handpiece; an electronic circuit coupled to said energizing coil which provides current to said energizing coil to vibrate a dental scaler positioned within said handpiece; and an outer sheath positioned around said handpiece and including coupling means for removably securing the outer sheath thereto whereby upon removal of said outer sheath, said outer sheath is sterilizable to prevent cross-contamination among patients and wherein the coupling means is provided on surfaces substantially independent of an exposed outer surface of said outer sheath thereby providing a substantially continuous gripping shape.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
127 words
An ultrasonic dental scaler comprising: a handpiece adapted for receiving a magnetostrictive dental scaler insert; an energizing coil mounted within said handpiece such that said energizing coil surrounds a portion of a magnetostrictive dental scaler insert positioned within said handpiece; an electronic circuit coupled to said energizing coil which provides current to said energizing coil to vibrate a dental scaler positioned within said handpiece; and an outer sheath positioned around said handpiece and including coupling means for removably securing the outer sheath thereto whereby upon removal of said outer sheath, said outer sheath is sterilizable to prevent cross-contamination among patients and wherein the coupling means is provided on surfaces substantially independent of an exposed outer surface of said outer sheath thereby providing a substantially continuous gripping shape.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
An ultrasonic dental scaler as defined by claim 13, wherein said outer sheath comprises a heat-resistant plastic.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
An ultrasonic dental scaler as defined by claim 14, wherein said heat-resistant plastic is a synthetic thermoplastic polymer.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
An ultrasonic dental scaler as defined by claim 13, wherein said outer sheath is autoclavable.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
31 words
An ultrasonic dental scaler as defined by claim 13, wherein the coupling means includes a sealing means to effect a water-tight seal between said outer sheath and said dental scaler handpiece.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
112 words
An ultrasonic dental scaler comprising: a handpiece adapted for receiving a magnetostrictive dental scaler insert; an energizing coil mounted within said handpiece such that said energizing coil surrounds a portion of a magnetostrictive dental scaler insert positioned within said handpiece; an electronic circuit coupled to said energizing coil which provides current to said energizing coil to vibrate a dental scaler positioned within said handpiece; and an outer sheath positioned around said handpiece and being removably secured thereto whereby said outer sheath is sterilizable to prevent cross-contamination among patients and wherein the handpiece includes an elongated, tubular inner housing and said outer sheath is threadably secured to said inner housing of the handpiece.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
112 words
An ultrasonic dental scaler comprising: a handpiece adapted for receiving a magnetostrictive dental scaler insert; an energizing coil mounted within said handpiece such that said energizing coil surrounds a portion of a magnetostrictive dental scaler insert positioned within said handpiece; an electronic circuit coupled to said energizing coil which provides current to said energizing coil to vibrate a dental scaler positioned within said handpiece; and an outer sheath positioned around said handpiece and being removably secured thereto whereby said outer sheath is sterilizable to prevent cross-contamination among patients and wherein the handpiece includes an elongated, tubular inner housing and said outer sheath is threadably secured to said inner housing of the handpiece.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
177 words
A method for preventing transmission of disease when using a dental scaler device comprising the steps of: providing a dental scaler handpiece comprising a removable, protective, elongated outer sheath dimensioned to be selectively positioned around said scaler handpiece, the outer sheath being shaped to facilitate gripping by an operator and coupling means for removably securing said outer sheath to said scaler handpiece and wherein the coupling means is provided on surfaces substantially independent of an exposed outer surface of said outer sheath thereby maintaining a substantially continuous gripping shape; assembling the dental scaler handpiece to include the outer sheath secured thereto; performing a dental scaling procedure using said dental scaler device to clean calculus from teeth surfaces; disassembling the dental scaler handpiece by removing the outer sheath from the dental scaler handpiece after said scaling procedure is performed; sterilizing the outer sheath removed from the dental scaler to prevent cross-contamination among patients and; reassembling the dental scaler handpiece by securing a sterilized outer sheath onto said handpiece prior to using the dental scaler device with another patient.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
177 words
A method for preventing transmission of disease when using a dental scaler device comprising the steps of: providing a dental scaler handpiece comprising a removable, protective, elongated outer sheath dimensioned to be selectively positioned around said scaler handpiece, the outer sheath being shaped to facilitate gripping by an operator and coupling means for removably securing said outer sheath to said scaler handpiece and wherein the coupling means is provided on surfaces substantially independent of an exposed outer surface of said outer sheath thereby maintaining a substantially continuous gripping shape; assembling the dental scaler handpiece to include the outer sheath secured thereto; performing a dental scaling procedure using said dental scaler device to clean calculus from teeth surfaces; disassembling the dental scaler handpiece by removing the outer sheath from the dental scaler handpiece after said scaling procedure is performed; sterilizing the outer sheath removed from the dental scaler to prevent cross-contamination among patients and; reassembling the dental scaler handpiece by securing a sterilized outer sheath onto said handpiece prior to using the dental scaler device with another patient.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as defined by claim 19, wherein the step of sterilizing the outer sheath includes the step of steam autoclaving the outer sheath.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-01-16 | 1998-07-18 | 1999-01-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-01-16 | 2002-07-18 | 2003-01-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-01-16 | 2006-07-18 | 2007-01-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |